But England international Mitchinson misses out on British Campionship

It was a proud weekend for Romford’s Steve Mitchinson as he claimed the magnificent scalp of the Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

Representing England, he played in the British Isles Championships and against a visiting Australia team.

“It was the first time in over 10 years that the Aussies have been here for a test series, building up to the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Leamington,” he said.

“It was a great honour to play against them. They play a completely different game to us. They’re very attacking, when they drive they outdo anyone I see in the UK.”

Mitchinson lost his first four disciplines against Australia, but then had his best moment.

“I paired with Jamie Walker to play Jessie Nora and Aaron Wilson, the Commonwealth Games gold medalist, and we managed to beat them. That was pretty special,” he said.

England lost out to Wales in the British Championships, despite beating them.

“We’d won it three years in a row and four years out of five, so this one on home turf at Leamington would have made it a grand slam after we won in Wales, Ireland and Scotland,” added Mitchinson.

“We beat Scotland convincingly which you always consider the big match, but Ireland adapted better to the fast greens and turned us over. We played some great bowls, but teams up their game against us and in the end Wales took the trophy.”